Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-09-17

FHst fldce OF Meeting OF Congress.
day of the grand occasion even more of a sue
cess, if such thing was possible, than Thurs
day Everywhere the measured tread of mill
tary bodies and the inspiring sounds of mar
tial music were heard as the soldiers marched
TO their positions to be in readiness for the
demonstration of the nations protectors. Even
during the time of the war of the rebellion,
when men left the pillow, the workshop, the
home, and all TO uphold the honor of their
country with the deadly implements of war
fare, there were not as many soldiers in Phil
adelphia as there were Friday. Nearly 3d.
900 uniformed soldiers passed in review be-
fore the chief magistrate and the high officers
of this and other governments before noon,
and at their head rode Gen Phil H. Sheridan
:. here are at least half million strangers
within the city's gates, and even with this
vast throng in addition TO the million inhab
itants there have been no serious casualties
to mar the pleasure Of the festival
The president, under the escort of the First
City troops. was abroad by a M and in
an open barouche, in company with Chair
man Jones, Mr.. Thompson and B. X. jamie
son, drove through the thronged streets to
the commercial exchange, where he was re-
meantime the members of the commercial,
stock, drug, grocers' and importers maritime,
petroleum, lumbernan's, textile, and wool
exchanges OF the board of trade had assem-
bled in the large hall on the third floor, and
were listening TO the strains of the Weccacoe
Legion band.
After an introduction by President Comfy,
of the commercial exchange President Cleve-
land delivered a short address in which, after
expressing his qualification at meeting the
representatives of Philaielphia's commercial
greatness, he urged the cultivation of broad
and patriotic spirit among business men
such a spirit as would, when called upon, set
aside personal and selfish considerations and
devote itself to the good of the whole coun-
try The day celebrated was a reminder of
a time when patriotism tramped upon selfish
ness Said he:
believe the complete benefits promised to the
people by our form of government can only be
secured by the exercise Of the same spirit of toll
Grafton for each others rights and interests In
which it had its birth. This spirit will prevail
when the business men Of the country cultivate
political thought when they cease to for their
purely selfish and exclusive benefit
He added that there was no place where
this condition of things could be better main
tanned than among the business men of this
city. reception was then held, and the
president shook hands with the gentlemen
present, and then drove to the re, iewing
stand at Broad and Walnut streets The
route was lined with dense throngs of people
who cheered the party continuously In the
carriages following the presidents were Sec
rotary of State Bayanl, George W. Childs
Secretary Fsirchild, Amos R. Little, Ruth
erford B. Hayes and numerous other gentle
men of national prominence, and the cortege
was escorted by the City troop.
The party was quickly seated, the venera-
BILE ex Vice President Hamlin following i'm
medately after the president Mrs Cleve-
land WAS not on the stand, but made
her appearance on the balcony of the I4sfay-
cite hotel and was enthusiastically welcomed
by the people.
The parade was the most successful of mod
ern times There could hardly be imagined
anything more inspiring than the sight of
so, 600 uniformed militiamen, each regiment
headed by a band of music. Each company
turned face about" as il reached the presi-
dents stand and saluted, amidst the cheers of
countless thousands Among the regiments
deserving of more than passing notice were
the Governors Foot Guard. of Hartford. who
were unanimously pronounced to be the most
handsomely uniformed set Of men in the pa
rade; the First Regiment, of Massachusetts: